Written Answers. - Prison Drug Treatment Services.
Michael D. Higgins
Question:
59
Mr. M. Higgins
asked the
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform
if he will increase the number of places available for treatment and detoxification of prisoners who are drug addicts in view of the fact that research data indicate a high degree of recidivism in this group; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[11505/98]
Proinsias De Rossa
Question:
62
Proinsias De Rossa
asked the
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform
the number of prisons or places of detention which have drug treatment or detoxification facilities; the number of places available for prisoners in each of these locations; the plans, if any, he has to extend these facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[11367/98]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 59 and 62 together.
I believe that the most effective strategy in dealing with drug addicted offenders is a combination of appropriate treatment, education and rehabilitation. To this end there are specially designed information programmes addressing the risks associated with the misuse of drugs in place in all of our prisons. Treatment for drug addicted offenders has been and continues to be provided as part of the general medical services available to inmates in all of our penal institutions. Any offender who is willing to make a real effort to stop abusing drugs and who shows the necessary commitment and motivation will be supported by appropriate medical intervention and therapeutic counselling. It is unfortunately the case that despite the availability of this support many offenders continue to fail to grasp the opportunities provided to address their addiction. The majority of offenders with drugs problems are located in institutions in the Dublin area and in particular in Mountjoy Prison and, as such, there are more treatment facilities in place in Mountjoy than in the other institutions.
The medical treatment of drug addicts, in common with the provision of all medical services in the prisons system, is co-ordinated by the Director of Prison Medical Services. The director liaises regularly with the health boards to ensure a level of primary health care for prisoners which is equivalent to that available in the community. Developments in medical services for drug addicts in the community are closely monitored with a view to their application in prisons where practicable. I am pleased to note that there has been an ongoing high degree of co-operation between the Eastern Health Board, including the agencies under its aegis, and my Department. An example is the assistance received in the context of the provision of the necessary professional services for a drug treatment facility in Mountjoy Prison which was established some time ago. I hope that this co-operation between the prisons and the Eastern Health Board, in the interest of tackling this community-wide problem, will continue and, where feasible, expand.
As I mentioned already the institution with the biggest drug problem is Mountjoy Prison. The drug treatment facility has been in operation there for some time now at the prison's health care unit. This facility provides chemical detoxification and a therapy programme. This unit is the first of its kind in a prison environment in this State and it is modelled on similar hospital based units in the community. My Department is currently examining the feasibility of further expanding the range of treatment options available to prisoners.
There are a number of options open where inmates have completed the detoxification programme. They can continue to serve their sentence in the general prison population; if they are considered suitable they can be granted temporary release to continue treatment with an outside agency or they can opt for a transfer to the Drug Free Unit.
The drug free unit is in operation at the training unit, which is adjacent to but separate from the main Mountjoy Prison and has accommodation for 96 prisoners. This facility enables the prison authorities to accommodate in a totally drug-free and secure environment within the prison system those prisoners who do not have a background of drug abuse. It also provides a sympathetic, yet closely monitored setting in which those prisoners who are in the process of coming to terms with their addiction and who have achieved stable drug-free status can serve out their sentences in an environment free from the temptations and risks associated with illicit drugs in the general prison population. The regime in the drug free unit also provides inmates with valuable opportunities in the form of a wide range of gainful work and training related activities in order to assist in the rehabilitation process.
Prisoners in both the Mountjoy treatment facility and the drug free unit are closely monitored by regular and random urine testing. This testing is done on a voluntary basis but if samples are refused negative conclusions are drawn.
The position with regard to female prisoners is, however, unsatisfactory. This is due, to a large extent, to the extreme overcrowding which exists in the Mountjoy women's prison. This issue is under continuous review between officials of my Department and the Eastern Health Board. I am hopeful that some interim solution will emerge. In any event I am satisfied that this issue can be resolved in the context of the move to the new purpose built women's prison which will be ready towards the end of this year.
